Member Avatar for adamhmiles

iPhone is not the safest of the devices but certainly one of the most used devices. In the modern era smartphones are also used as a mobile data backup. As these phone can perform almost like a computer, many of the important folders are saved in iPhone. As research suggest iPhone is one of the basic sources of data loss. How can that data can be secured? Any suggestions?

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Brief, actionable update that builds on this thread. asked a good question, and / pointed to encryption and backups — both important. Modern iPhones use hardware‑backed data protection (per‑file keys + a Secure Enclave) so the device design itself helps protect stored files, but correct settings and account choices are what actually keep your data safe in day‑to‑day use. (support.apple.com)

Device hardening (do these now):

  • Use a long custom alphanumeric passcode (turn off “Simple Passcode”).
  • Enable Erase Data (wipes after 10 failed passcode attempts).
  • Set a short Auto‑Lock and require immediate lock with the side button.
  • Hide sensitive previews on the Lock Screen (Notifications → Show Previews = When Unlocked or Never).
  • Keep iOS updated and avoid jailbreaking (jailbreaks weaken built‑in protections). (support.apple.com)

Backups and cloud (tradeoffs to understand):

  • iCloud backups and computer backups behave differently; for local control use encrypted computer backups (Finder/iTunes) — enable “Encrypt local backup” so Health/Keychain are included.
  • If you want end‑to‑end cloud protection for most iCloud data (Backups, Photos, Notes, etc.), enable Apple’s Advanced Data Protection for iCloud — it’s opt‑in and requires two‑factor authentication plus a recovery method. Decide whether you accept the recovery tradeoffs before turning it on. (support.apple.com)

Account and operational safeguards:

  • Turn on two‑factor authentication for your Apple ID and use a strong, unique password (store it in a password manager).
  • Enable Find My so you can lock or erase a lost device remotely.
  • For ultra‑sensitive items, keep them in a separately encrypted container (with its own password) that you do not sync or include in backups. (support.apple.com)

Summary: backups prevent data loss but expand where data lives. Combine a strong device passcode + device wipe, encrypted backups (local or ADP‑protected iCloud), and Apple‑ID protections to match your threat model.

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Member Avatar for kvothetech

apple built in encryption in iOS 6 and possibly 5. you can turn it on and your data will be encrypted but you'll have to enter a password to get to it. note there may or may not be a backdoor to this for government (Google police apple unlock) so you may want to keep your super secret stuff elsewhere and not on your phone. android has dmcrypt which is straight out of Linux and very secure. apple iOS I believe uses aes256 so it should be secure as well if you pick a good password

Member Avatar for adamhmiles

I have doubt that any mobile encrypting software uses aes256. Well, iPhone is one of the biggest source of losing data

Member Avatar for aVar++

Back up the documents to your PC in a locked folder? Take regular backups?

Member Avatar for adamhmiles

Making regular back up is not a remedy to avoid data breach

Member Avatar for aVar++

No, but it will guarranty you won't lose your data.

Edited by aVar++
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